Method and apparatus for preparing music rolls



J. C. HAGEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING MUSIC ROLLS Filed Aug. 29. 1919 llll ylllrll tl Patented Qct. 9,1928. 7 I UNITED STATES JAMES CLARKE HAGEIOF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE CABLE COMPANY or CHICAGO, rrnmors, a CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

a 1 1,686,557 PATENT OFFICE.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING MUSIC ROLLS.

Application filed August 29, 1919.

My invention relates to the preparation of music-rolls. I

'Oneimportant uselot my invention is in connection withthe production of handplayed music-rollsf A hand-played roll is a roll which is designed for usewith an automatic musical instrument to'reproduce the rendition of a musicalcomposition as played by an artist. In the production of suchrolls, it has been customary to use a recording-device which will automatically make a record showing which notes were played and the duration of these notes. It has also been attempted to makea record of the'piano-key dynamics, for the purpose of obtaining a record of'the tonal volume 0 power-of the individual notes. i I

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improvementin the art of securing a recordof the tonal characteristics of the notes, such as the tonal volume thereof, inconnection with the securing of the record oi": the other qualities of the notes (such as pitch, duration, etc), the complete record thussecured being used in the production of lmnd-played music-rolls. v

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved method of preparing a music roll, which method includes, as a step therein, providing the music-roll with means for controlling the tonal characteristics of the notes, such as the tonal volume thereof, as indicated in arecord obtained from an actual rendition of the musical selection. whether-or not such record he obtained in the manner orby the apparatus herein set forth. g p

In order to give a general idea of-the invention, it'is here stated that, in the embodiment of my invention shown, sound-vibration-controlled means are employed for making a record of the tonal characteristics of the notes soundethat the same time that keyrontrolled markers are used for makingn. record which will show the'pitch and duration of the notes sounded. In one embodiment of my invention, a sound vibration-controlled recording-mechanisrm is; provided which will record the tonal characteristics, including the, tonal volume, of each individualnote. In another emloodi ment of my invention, j a sound-vibrationccm'iiolled recording-mechanism is used which I will not record the tonal characteristics of each individual note, but which Serial No. 320,589.

will make a record which might be called a record of the composite tonal volume of allot the notes simultaneously sounded. In both forms of my invention, the mechanism for recording thetonal characteristics is used in connection with a mechanism for recording the pitch and duration of the notes. e

In the drawings, in which two embodiments of my invention are shown:

Fig. 1 is a view showing a side elevation of a grand piano and therecording-device used in connection therewith, parts being broken away and parts shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing another form of recording-device;

a Fig. 8 is a plan view of part of the recording-device shown in Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and first to the form of my invention shown in Fig. 1, the construction there shown comprises a grand piano 10 and a recording-device 11. The grand piano may be located in one room and the recordingdevice in another. The recording-device '11 comprises- 'mechan1sm 12 for making a record which will show the pitch and duration of the notes sounded, and mechanism 13 which will make a record of the tonalcharacterlstlcs of the individual notes sounded.

The mechanism 12, for recording the pitch and duration of the notes sounded, may be of any usual or suitable construction, the one I haveshown comprising a plurality of vertically reciprocable markers or pencils 14 and a pluralityof pneumatic-actuators 15, one for each of the markers 14. There is one pneumatic-actuator for each key of the pi ano 10. Each pneumatic-actuator 15 may be controlledfrom the corresponding pianokey 16 by meansof' a valve 17, located beneath the corresponding key 16 and controllinga port 18, from which a conduit 19 leadsto a controlling-valvemechanism for controlling the action of the respective pneumatic-actuator 15. The valve 17 may be a leaf-spring-valve, normally held in position to close theport 18 by its spring tension. When the key 16 is depressed, theyalve 17 is opened by means of a plunger 20, slidably mounted in the key-bed 21 and eX- tcnding between the valve'17. and its corresponding key. This construction is more or less diagrammatically shown, and is subject togconsiderable variation and refinement, in actual use, to permit a suitably responsive action of the markers 1% without interfering with the touch of the pianolreys. The construction is such that, when the mechanism 12 is provided with air-tension, supplied from any suitable source (not shown), and the piano-hey 16 is depressed, the corresponding pencil or marker 1% will be depressed and will be held down as long as the key is held down.

A record-blank 22 is caused to travel beneath the markers 1% by means of a suitable record feeding mechanism 23. il hen the recording-mechanism 12 is in o aeration and the record-blank travels underneath the markers, the markers, when depressed, will ma re lines on the record-blanl-t, th length of which lines will correspond to the duration of the notes, and the position of which will indicate which piano-key was depressed, and will thus indicate the pitch of the correspondin note.

The mechanism 13, for recording tne tonal characteristics of the notes sounded, may be a dictaphone or similar device, provided with a receivinghorn 24;, the larger end of which may be located underneath the sounding-board 25 of the piano. This receivinghorn leads to the sound-box 26 of the dictaphone. A valve or damper 27 may be located in the passage, at the smaller end of the receiving-horn 24, for modifying the sound-vibrations. This damper may be provided with a handle 27* located in a position convenient for the person who has charge of the recording-mechanism. Suitable indicating-means 27 may be provided for indicating the position of the damper. The indicating-means 27, as shown, is provided with the letters L, M and 5, indicating loud, medium and soft. if the artist employs what the operator considers to he a heavy touch, the damper is moved to the position indicated as loud. This restricts the passage in the receiving-horn and lessens the effect of sound-vibrations on the record.

This record is used with a reproducing machine (not shown) in editing nutsic-rolls. This reproducing machine is provided with a damper, which damper can be set at various positions, indicated as loud, medium and soft. lVhen a record, which has been marlied as a loud record, is used with the reproducing machine suggested, the damper oi' the reproducing machine is set at loud. so that the reproduction rendered by the reproducing machine will correspond to the original rendition. Similarly, if the artist employs what the operator considers to be a medium touch, the indicating-means 27 may be moved to the position indicated "medium. The record thus made is marked as a medium record. hen this record is placed on the reproducing machine suggested, the damperot this reproducing machine "ed to medium position, so that the .uction of this medium record will :spond to the original rendition. similar use of the damper 27 and the damner of the suggested reproducing machine is made, it the artist has what the operator considers to be a light touch.

When the piano is played and the recording-mechanism 13 is in operation, the soundvibrations, corresponding to the notes soumjled, cause the diaphragm of the soundbox 96 to vibrate and to record, on the wax cylinder 2?, the tonal characteristics, including; the volume of power, of the individual notes.

Applicant is, o'l course, aware that soundvibratioil-controlled means have been employed for making a record of musical renditions. He does not, however, believe that sounc.-v.i.bration-controlled means have been used for making a record of the tonal characteristics, in connection with means for malti a record showing which of the notesount devices were actuated.

operation oi the device has been out- The lined in connection with the description oi the structure. In operation, the artist renders a selection on the piano 10, the recording-device being put into operation to make a record or this rendition. The recordingmechanism 12 will make a record on the record-blank indicating which keys of the piano were struck, the relative time at which they were struck, and the length of time they were held down. At the same time, the tonal-characteristics recording mechanism 13 will make a record on the wax cylinder A? oi the tonal characteristics of the individual notes sounded.

litter the records are made by the recordingancchanisms l2 and 13, they may be used in the preparation of a master-sheet. This master-sheet may be used to produce handplajred music-rolls which, when used with a suitable automatic musical instrument, will el'l'ect the rendition of a musical selection in the manner in which it was originally rendered by the artist, not only with respectto pitch and duration of notes, but also with respect to tonal characteristics, including the tonal volume and delicate colorings or shadings. The tone-characteristics record, made by the recording-mechanism 13,

i also be used a guide in placing a namic-line on a music-roll, which dynamicdine will indicate to the person using the music-roll the proper tonal volume to be produced. To explain further the two uses suggested: the recods made by the recordingmechanisms l2 and 13 may be used in the preparation of a master-sheet which may be used to produce a music-roll such as will, when used with a suitable automatic musical instrument, automatically ellect the rendition of the selection as origillih nall played by the artist, reproducing the I ,pitc ,relative arrangement, and duration'o'l the notes, and giving the proper tonal characteristicsincluding the volume and c'oloring or sliadmgs; or the record produced by the recording-mechanism 12 may be used in the production of a music-roll which will automatically control the rendering of the selection, insofarfas giving ,thenotes the same pitch, relative arrangement, and duration, as in the original rendition, and the record made by the recording-mechanism 13 maybe used in placing on this music-roll a dynamic-line,which will'enable'the person using the iiiusic- 'oll to control the intrument in a way to give the notes the same tonal volume as was given in the original rendition. By the use of'this method of sinultaneously recording note relationship, oc-

currences and duration, as well as the tonal characteristics given such notes,a musicroll mayv be prepared by one whov did not even hearthe artists original rendition, and.

' who was not in the least acquainted with oid-blank asthat on which the the art-ists style of playing, and this music roll may be used, in connection with a suitable automatic musical instrumennto faithfully reproduce the artists individual style of playing and his peculiar interpretation of the composition, including accurate phrasing and the most delicate tone-coloring or shading. I

In the use of my inventionshown in Fig. 2, the piano 10, the recordlug-mechanism 12, and the means for controlling the recording-mechanism 12 fromthe keys of the piano,.ma-y be substantially the same as in the form previously descr bed. In Fig. 2, however, the receiving-horn 24leads to a recording-inechanisin 28 which makes a visible record. Thisrecording-mechanism '28 comprises a sound-box 29, which may be similar to the sound-box on adictaphone,

and a marker 30', p'ivotally mounted at 31 and pivotally :connected at 32 to the diaphragm of the sound-box 29. .The ampli tude of vibration of the marker 30 Will correspond to what may be called the composite tonal volume of the rendition of the musical selection on the piano 10. The markerSO may make avisible recordonthe same recmarkers 14E ll'lflltetheif1T8'C01d. I I I The use of this form of. recording'device is similar to the use of the form previously described. The recording-mechanism 12 op} erates,-dur i g the rendition of a; selection on the piano 10, to make a record'sho'wing' WlliCllOf the keys were depressed and how long they weredepressed, and the tonal-volume-recor'dingniechanism- 28. operates to make a record showing the tonal volume The records made by the two recording mechanisms may be used to produce a musicroll which will automatically give the same rendition as the artists original playing as to pitch, occurrences, duration, and tonal volume of the notes; or the record made by the recording-mechanism 12 may be used in the production of a music-roll which will automatically cause the same notes to be sounded as were sounded in the original rendition, and the record made by the recording-mechanism 28 may be used in placing a dynamic-line on the music-roll, to enable theoperator, by following itin his manipulation of suitable controlling-devices,

to give theproper tonal volume to the rendition on an automatic musical instrument. It is probably well here to refer to the well-known fact that the degrees of tonal, volume are produced upon a, piano by ma-.

nipulating the piano-keys with more or less power andby the use of suitable pianopedals. ,.IIand-played music-rolls are usually provided with pedalscontrolling perforations, in addition to the note-perforations, and the recording-mechanism 12 01 my device is provided with one. or more pneumatic-actuators 15 which are controlled in operation, individually, by oneor more of.

the pianopedals in substantially the same manner as I'have shown in connection with a piano-key, the resultant mark uponthe record-blank 22 indicating when, and for how long, the respective piano-pedal was operated. The records made by therecording mechanisms 13 and 28 are, primarily, records of tonal characteristics, and embody the effects produced by the artists operation of the piano pedals, as'well as the piano-key dynamics, or the power with which the artist manipulated the piano-keys. In pre paring the hand-played music-rolls, the

music-roll-blank is first prepared with note controlling and pedal-controlling perforations, according to the recordmade by the recoi'dingmechanism12, and the music-roll tions or means. such as the dynamic-line or expression-line, for indicating, tothe operator of the automatic musical. instrumerit,- the key-dynamics, or the relative degrees oi power that should be exerted.

in playing. These volume controlling v or volume-iiulicating characters. whether 1 in the form of perforations, crimes, or other ,foi'ms," actually represent] (in percussion the time the selection is being rendered instruments, such as a piano) the degrees of power to be applied in the Sounding ot' the notes,-wh1ch means key-dynamics.

My invention, therefore, embraces the method oi preparing HidSlC-lOllS C'illt'll ll hat claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ot the United States, is:

l. The combination with a musical instrument comprising a plurality of selectively controllable note-sounding units, o" record ing means comprising means for m ord showing which of the noteunits were actuated, controlled means for making a record or tonal characteristics of the notes sounded the time the selection is rendered.

2. The combination with a musica instrument having a plurality of selectively controllable note-sounding units, of recordingmeans comprising means for making, at the time the selection is rendered, a record showing which of the note-sound'ug units were actuated, and sound-vibrationcontrolled means for making a record of the tonal characteristics of the individual notes sounded.

A machine for recording a rendition of a musical selection as it is rendered on an instrument having a plurality of selectively controllable note-sounding units, compr 1g means tor making, at the time the selection is rendered. a record showing which of the note-sounding units were actuated, and soundwibration-controlled means for making a record of the tonal characteristics of the rendition.

A machine for recording a rendition of a musical selection as it is rendered on an instrument having a plurality of selectively controllable note-sounding units, comprising means for making, at the time the selection is rendered, a record showing which ot the note-sounding units were actuated, and sound-vihration-controllec means for making a record of the tonal characteristics of the individual notes.

A machine for recording av rendition of a musical selection as it is rendered on an instrument having a plurality of solcctii' controllable note-sounding units, compr 3 means for making, at the time the selection is rendered, a record showing which of the 6. A machine tor recording a rendition of a musical selection it is rendered on an inst contr tlable note-sounding units, comprising means for making, at the time the selection rendered, a record showing which of the note-sounding units were actuated, and soundwihration-controlled means for making an audibly reproduccable record of the tonal characteristics of the individual notes. 7. .e method of prtpariug a music-roll thereon expre sions of pitch L'C-"Vlllltltifill, which expressions no notes of a musical selection, on said music-roll with means I tonal volume; which method nplovment of a sound-record t e no musical selection as a guide for (cunning the proper arrangement of said rid music-roll with respect to ions of pitch and time noterument having a plurality of selectively h method of preparing a music-roll -igthereon expressions of pitch rune ll-"TQ-Y21ltlztll011, which expressions represent a notes ot a musical selection, and proi" said music-roll with means tonal volume, which method a iniiu .rom a sound-record Hal selection. the tonal volhe notes oi said selection l m ans upon said musicct to the said expressions of 3 note-valuation thereon, to ual volume of the notes so accordzmce with the variations .alhe tonal 'olume of said notes as ascertained om said souml-record.

u. i'he methoo of preparing a music-roll producing upon sheet expressions h and time note-valuation, which exons resent {1G notes of a musical action, and. thereafter proridin said sheet tonal volume; which the employment of a same musical selection nininn the proper arn'essious ot tonal volwith respect to said pitch and time note-valua- COIUEL trecord oi? tion thereon.

said selection and arranging said expresloo forations represent: the notes of a mus sions of tonal volume upon said sheet, with respectto thesaid expressions pitch and time note-valuation thereon, toserve in controlling the tonal volume of the notes so expressed in accordance with thevariations in the tonalvolume of said notes as ascer tained from said sound-record.

11.*Themethod of praparinga music roll by: nialring perforations therein ex )IGSS pitch and time note-valuation "which.

expressions of tonal volume; which *method comprises the employment oi a soundrecord ot the samemusical selection as a guide for detcri'niningthe proper arrangement of said expressions of tonal volume upon said musicroll with respect to said perforations.

l2. The method of preparing, a music roll. by making perforations therein expressing' pitch and time note-valuation, which perforations represent the notes of a musical selection, and providing said music-roll with expressions of tonal volume; which method comprises ascertaining, from a sound-record of the same musical selection; the tonal volnine to be given the notes OfSfilCl selection and arranging said expressions of tonal volume upon said music-roll, with respect to said perforations therein, to serve con trolling the tonal volume of the notes represcnted bysaid perforations in accordance with the variations in the tonal volume of saidnotes as ascertained from said sound record. c

13. The method of providinga music-roll,

having perforations therein which constitute expressions of pitch and time note-valuation and represent the notes of a musical selection, with expressions of tonal volume; which methodcomprises the employment of a sound-record of the same musical selection as a guide for determiningthe proper arrangement of said expressions of tonal volume upon said music-roll with respect to said perforations. v

14. The method of preparing a -1nusicroll, having perforations therein which constitute expressions ofpitch. and time note valuation and represent the notes of a musical selection, consisting of providing it with means for controlling the tonal volume of the "notes so expressed and' represented ascertained from a phonograph record of [the same musical selection:

The method of preparing a music-roll by producing thereon GXPIGSSIOASOf pitch and time note-valuation; which. expressions "represent thenotes of a musical selection,

andproviding said music-roll with means for] controlling the al characteristics of the notes'so expressed; which method comprises the'emplovmentof, a sound-record of the same musical selection as a guide for determining the proper arrangement of said for controlling the tonal characteristics of the notes so expressed;,which method compints ascertaining, from a sound-record of the same musical selection, the tonal characteristics to be given the notes of said selection and arranging saidmeans upon said music-roll, vith respect to the said expressions of pitch and time note-valuation thereon, to control the tonal characteristics of the notes so expressed in accordance with the variations i. the tonal characteristics of said notes as ascertained from said sound-record.

17. The method of preparing a music-roll by first producing upon a sheet expressions of pitch and time note-valuation, which expressions represent the notes of a musical selection, and thereafter providing said sneet with expressions of tonal characteristics: which method comprises the employment of a sound record of the same musical proper arrangement of said expressions of tonal characteristics upon said sheet with re-' spect to said expressions of pitch and time note-valuation thereon.

18. The method of preparing a music-roll by first producing upon a sheet expressions of pitch and time note-valuation, which expressions represent the notes of a musical selection, and thereafter providing said sheet with expressions of tonal characteristics; which method comprisesascertaining; from a sound-record of the same musical selection, the tonal characteristics to be given the notes of said selection and arranging said expressions of tonal characteristics upon said sheet, with respect to the said expressions of pitch and time note-valuation thereon, to serve in controlling the tonal characteristics of the notes so expressed in accordance with the variations in the tonal characteristics of said notes as ascertained from said soundrecord.

19. The method of preparing a music-roll by making perforations therein expressing pitch and time note-Valuation, which pertorations represent the notes of a musical selection, and providing said 1nusicroll with expressions of tonal characteristics; which method comprises ascertaining, from a sound-record of the same musical selection, the tonal characteristics to be given the notes of said selection and arranging said expres ns oi tonal characteristics upon said music-roll, with respect to said perforations therein, to serve in controlling the tonal characteristics of the notes represented by said perforations in accordance with the variations in the tonal characteristics of said notes as ascertained from said sound-record.

21. The method of providing a n1usic-roll, having perforations therein which constitute expressions of pitch and time note-valuation and represent the notes of a musical selection, with expressions of tonal characteristics; which method comprises the employment of a sound-record of the same musical selection as a guide for determining the proper arrangement of said expressions of tonal characteristics upon said music-roll with respect to said perforations.

22. The method of preparing a music-roll, having perforations therein which cnsti tute expressions of pitch and time note-valnation and represent the notes of a musical selection, consisting of providing it with means for controlling the tonal characteristics of the notes so expressed and represented as ascertained from a phonograph record of the same musical selection.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto suhscribed my name.

J. CLARKE HAGEY. 

